Animals: The Abandoned & Abused (Part 4)

This is the final part of a four-part article by Francesca Saliba (Greenhouse Executive Member) on animal rights and animal cruelty.

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Entertainment also brings about animal cruelty where an animal is sometimes taken from its natural habitat and being made to perform tricks, which they do not normally do in the wild. This is the case in the circus entertainment industry. These creatures are being constantly under pressure as they are kept in small areas, keeping in mind the animal size in question, and left alone for hours where they often get stressed and depressed which is shown from their repetitive behaviour. Not to mention their constant travelling and teaching manner used to make a tiger, elephant, bear, hop and down or perform artificial acts. In some animals, like elephants, you can see light patches where he/she was maltreated. They are most often left in cages after the performances, especially while travelling and abused regularly, to learn and be in charge, even if they are born captive, they are performing unnatural tricks. International Organisations like PETA- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and MFA - Mercy For Animals and National Organisation, Animal Rights Coalition aim at stopping this cruelty as anti circus messages for awareness.[1]

The logo for the Circus Animal Rights Coalition, a local coalition of which Greenhouse is affiliated with.

An animal is more gracious to see in the wild rather than for your own pleasure, such animals go through a lifetime of misery just because you are not able to see him in his natural environment. This also happens in other shows like dolphinarium where dolphins have this missed signal as they are seen always smiling but they do get tired and angry and in fact some even burst in the glass tanks trying to get out. CETFREE is a coalition of Maltese and international NGO’s sharing the common belief that captivity is cruel and that education cannot be accomplished through the use of animals in captivity.

Although it is very difficult in certain cases to put them back in the wild, but at least certain shows should be stopped and animals should be respected!

Protesters at an ARC protest in Valletta

[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8588332.stm

Animals: The Abandoned & Abused (Part 3)

This is the third part in a Four-part article by Greenhouse Executive member Francesca Saliba, which deals with animal cruelty and what we can do to make a difference to the lives of unfortunate animals.

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Animal Testing is also a major aspect of animal cruelty. It was brought about in the late nineteenth century by testing on sheep to investigate the importance of vaccines via the germ theory. Nowadays, it is used for cosmetics and household products and so many other things which people most often ignore. Scientists can use many other methods that are beneficial and more useful to humans. Especially since animal testing can result in inaccurate data as rats, rabbits etc have physical differences which could compromise the results.

The following is a list of tests which are carried out on animals for various products: whole body testing, Short-term Toxicity, Skin Penetration, Skin Irritancy, Eye irritancy, Skin Sensitization, Phototoxicity & Photosensitisation, Mutagenicity, Carcinogenicity, Reproductive Toxicity, Teratogenicity and Finished Product Testing. Some animals are bred for testing while others, such as dogs and cats, are taken from the pounds. Mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, and monkeys are frequently used. Fish Scales are also used, for shimmery lipsticks and soaps are used from whale blubber. Many products that are used everyday can be animal tested. It all goes down to reading a bit about the product and reading the label carefully to know where your product came from and how it was made.

Other Creatures like foxes, chinchillas, beavers, bears, seals, minks, rabbits, and raccoons are all used in the fur industry. Where they are skinned alive (without anasesthetics) so the skin remains fresh and silky which is another shocking way in which animals go through an excruciating amount of pain. Cats and dogs are also used for fur in china's trade where they are bludgeoned, hanged, bled to death, and strangled with wire nooses so that their fur can be turned into trim and trinkets. They are used for the unsuspecting consumer as they are cheap and labelled as fake fur. To make these fashionable clothing, animals that may or may not be extinct are taken from their natural habitat despite everything else. Nowadays faux fur is the imitational fur that some animal right activists have, where the money goes to aiding more awareness and helping animals and that’s why it should be more promoted.

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Animals: The Abandoned & Abused (Part 2)

This is part 2 of a four-part article penned by Greenhouse Executive Francesca Saliba on the issue of Animal Rights.

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Another aspect of the maltreatment of domestic animals, is when they are thrown out onto the streets, having to live day by day in sadness and betrayal because of some type of their owners, who usually have some sorry excuse for their terrible act of neglect. Everyone should think about the long term when they are adopting an animal.

One of the most common excuses for people abandoning animals is when a newly formed family is expecting a child. The problem is that, although some people buy their houses with 2/3 bedrooms (sometimes even five years before they are married, because they know how many children they want to have), they fail to anticipate what will happen to their pet! Another typical excuse is that when their pets are sick, instead of taking care of them when they mostly need it, they throw them out because sometimes they think that it’s something that could be easily spread to humans, which is rarely the case. Another classic excuse is when their pets are pregnant, instead of neutering them if they didn’t want any young ones, they throw them out.

Nowadays with all the neutering campaigns, like Dogstrust one can no longer bring about the excuse that it is too expensive to neuter and microchip your pet, because they do it all for free. This helps the people trace back their pet or rightful owner and even decrease in diseases. Do people choose just the easy way out in life? What does that tell you about a person, culture, society? Maybe, very few people think ahead and lack knowledge. Awareness is a definite need in our country. Pets thrown in the streets become strays, if they are lucky, they are left in the responsibility of others to take action and try to help them in the best way possible. To make it easier for the people who are willing to help such innocent creatures, the animal ambulance is now available 24/7 by calling 2122 4001. It was made possible thanks to Noah’s ark which was being taking care of By the Animal Welfare Department later on.

Members of Greenhouse carrying out voluntary work at a local shelter

Moreover, without awareness that animals should be treated well, we are imposing on a revolution of bad situations. In particular cases, children are sometimes seen throwing rocks at cats and trying to harm them, just because their anger is unleashed on innocent creatures which could result in a horrible factor for the cat and for the future child. Enforcement of the law should be made so that these cases will stop. Justice is important when involving mistreatment. It’s also the case since many people hate the idea of too many cats close to their homes in streets since they are considered as filthy creatures. The responsibility comes from the person taking care of this colony of cats, to not leave any wastes behind, and always cleaning after feeding. The cats are not the one to blame if such a situation is not the case scenario.

Animals: The Abandoned & Abused

Animal Rights is an issue which is close to our green hearts, here at Greenhouse. Francesca Saliba, an Agriculture student at UoM and Greenhouse Executive Member, sheds some light on the truth about animal cruelty, exploitation and neglect in a four-part article.

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Despite the small size of our country, various situations brutally shock animal lovers of all ages. In every response I witness, the majority of conflicts bring about, that actions speak louder than words.

The majority of people go about their lives without realising just how much animals suffer on a daily basis. For instance, cab horses that are used daily for tourists, go through a great deal of stress working whether it’s raining or very hot. They are used for human benefit, transporting them from place to place, with no drinking stops or sheltered areas where the horse is protected from natural elements.

In November 2009 TAWS (World association for transport animal welfare studies) proposed facilities to take care of these poor horses. Structures th

at would give shelter to the horse while waiting for customers. These aim of these structures are to keep the horse in the right conditions even in Malta`s hot weather. Other issues like hygiene and water were also mentioned however it all fell on deaf ears. Now in 2011, Arrangements are being made to try and compromise a sort of solution to help these innocent creatures on duty, especially since the proposed sum of a shelter costs €20,000. Petitions and comment papers are making others more aware because every person can help save those that have no voice in our daily lives. They depend on us to never give up on this struggle.[1]

Furthermore, I think that more investigations should be carried out, especially with regards to dog fighting events which are a shocking reality frequently heard in the Maltese island despite the fact that they are illegal. A new law on animal welfare specifically lays down that "animal fights shall not be organised and nor shall animals be entered for animal fights".

Anyone who violates this law "shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not less than Lm100 but not exceeding Lm20,000 or to a term of imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to both such fine and imprisonment". Vets also witness these agendas but are bound to be secretive or afraid do speak out. In some cases, the owners even invent excuses as to not get caught. Last reported case was found to be in 2002 in Siggiewi from an anonnomous caller but no one was arrested as they left in a hurry and even left things behind. Some people simply do not understand the extreme amount of pain, suffering and torture dogs go through, whether the dog is the winner or the loser. [2]

Francesca & Joseph with volunteers from Birdlife during organisations' week 2011.

[1] Times of Malta

[2] Times of Malta

Volunteering an afternoon towards Abandoned Animals.

Dear Greenhouser,

We're looking for volunteers for this Saturday 26th February! No requirements needed except for unconditional love for man's best friend and food for oneself, unless you'd like to fast for the day.

For the month of November; Greenhouse is going to Abandoned Animal's Association (AAA), where we shall spend a day at the place volunteering. We're meeting at 9am in front of Phoenicia Hotel. The day includes a briefing and division of responsibilities among the attendees. One is also encouraged to donate foodstuff for adult dogs apart from your time

which is indispensable!

So, if you made up your mind and feel like giving up some time to spend with these wonderful animals let us know via email green.uom@gmail.com and don't forget to bring your cameras along!

Best Regards,

Greenhouse Team